There are times when I get a little homesick – there are lots of things to miss in America. Right now that mostly centers around shopping because I have to buy a birthday present for my husband and I’m stumped. He’s a hard man to buy for (aren’t they all??) and having a huge overflowing mall at my doorstep would be helpful. I’m going to have to get creative on that. In the meantime I decided to count my blessings instead.
Things I like about Egypt:
<!–[if !supportLists]–>1) <!–[endif]–>Delivery, delivery, delivery – you can get just about anything delivered, including fast food like McDonald’s and KFC (which can be ordered online). I have my groceries delivered every week (no car, no elevator, nuff said). My green grocer comes door to door when he gets in vegetables he knows we like. Last week he brought a bunch of aging bananas to me because he knows I like to make banana bread.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>2) <!–[endif]–>Doctors who make house calls – for the same or less than their office rate.
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<!–[if !supportLists]–>3) Pomegranates. The seeds are crunchy and sweet. And ahhh, pomegranate juice – tis the season. If you’ve never had it, it’s wonderful stuff. You can make it yourself, but my kitchen always looks like a bloodbath afterwards. An easier option is to buy it from the fresh juice stand at the market. A liter and a half costs about $2.
4) <!–[endif]–>Baladi bread – a local pocket flat bread made with whole grains with a dusting of corn meal on the outside. A bag of 8 pieces costs about $.30. You often see it laying on the hoods and roofs of cars to cool in the local neighborhoods and being delivered in large flat cane baskets balanced on cyclists’ heads. I buy mine at the grocery store but I can’t be sure where it was before it got there (not sure I want to know either!)
<!–[if !supportLists]–>5) <!–[endif]–>Everybody knows you. When you’ve gone in to a shop frequently enough the staff get to know you. I never even have to say where I live anymore to the grocery delivery guys, they just know. People I don’t recognize know where I live! That would bother me in other places but here it’s just the way it is.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>6) <!–[endif]–>Mashrabia screens – the lace of woodwork, so lovely to look at.
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7) <!–[endif]–>The history. Where else could my children get to visit the Red Sea, the library in Alexandria, the Valley of the Kings and the Mediterranean sea in one place? Take school field trips to the Nile River, the great Pyramids, and the Egyptian Museum?
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<!–[endif]–>Sunset Feluca (sailboat) rides. Bring a picnic and take an hour’s sail on the Nile River with a dozen of your closest friends for less than $10 – shared 12 ways.
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9) <!–[endif]–>Strawberry season – long and sweet. Have you ever had fresh strawberry juice? Heaven. (Why are so many of my items food related??)
<!–[if !supportLists]–>10) <!–[endif]–>The generosity of the people. I was once a little short of cash at the vegetable stand and asked if I could pay them when they brought the food since I did have money at home. They not only said yes, but the owner whipped out his money roll and offered to give me a loan so I could complete my shopping!
Hmmm…now I’m hungry. Think I’ll go and have some breakfast. If you have any husband-gift ideas, I’m all ears.
